1950S ROPE BRACELET Very beautiful 18k (750 thousandths) yellow gold and platinum bracelet, mesh composed of a thin twisted wire showing the rope motif in the form of interlocking falling S's, decorated with nine lines of old round brilliant diamonds weighing approx. 3 ct. Very good condition. No signature. Nice flexibility of the mesh. Length: 16.8 cm. Width: 1.5 to 2.6 cm. Gross weight: 85.6 g. Gold wire rope decoration has had two periods of excellence in the history of jewellery, during Antiquity and the early Middle Ages, and in the 1950s. This type of twisted wire is the result of a great deal of patience, as the wire has to be drawn through a wire-drawing machine, a plate with progressively smaller holes, and stretched with pliers as far as it will go. Then it has to be wound to give it the appearance of a rope. Twisting the wire increases its strength and durability, making it a precious material that requires great skill in working with metal. Over time, the technique for twisting wire has been perfected, particularly with the advent of metallurgy and industrial machinery, enabling twisted wire to be produced more efficiently and in greater quantities. However, the hand of a master is still needed to make links that fit together perfectly without getting in each other's way, keeping the mesh supple and pleasant to wear. This is the case with the bracelet shown here, where the goldsmith's prowess has made it possible to interweave lines of diamonds without ever detracting from the suppleness of the jewel.